Inside a shop named Boiling Blood Bakery at the corner of a street.
The air was thick with the mixed aroma of wheat and cream.
White magic lamps hung high from the ceiling, casting their light onto rows of exquisite rosewood shelves. The shelves were divided into several sections, displaying various types of bread.
Vivian stood before one of the shelves, standing on her tiptoes. Her eyes sparkled as she stared at several dark red, oval-shaped loaves of bread. A wooden sign stood in front of them, carved with the words: Parker Bread.
This was one of Vivian’s favorite foods since arriving in this world.
According to the owner, Black, this was a popular type of bread among the northern orc tribes. It was made from wheat flour mixed with pale ale and the fresh blood of beasts obtained through hunting. It was a delicacy loved by every orc in the tribe.
‘Vampires love it too,’ Vivian added inwardly.
She licked her lips and reached her small hand toward the shelf. She wanted to take a piece for lunch, but her peripheral vision suddenly caught the price on the sign.
Vivian’s hand froze in mid-air, and she stood rooted to the spot. She rubbed her eyes, doubting her own vision for a moment.
‘Wait, what? Something isn’t right about this price.’
“Black, did you put the wrong sign out?” Vivian turned and shouted toward the counter.
Clanking sounds of kitchenware echoed from the kitchen behind the counter. A moment later, a tall figure pulled back the curtain and stepped out. He was dressed in a white chef’s uniform. His skin was coarse and greenish, and two tusks protruded from the corners of his mouth.
He was a strong orc. In the Kingdom of Valorian, he was considered a demihuman, just like Vivian. It was a mystery how he had obtained legal status. This bakery had existed long before the new policies were implemented.
According to rumors among the neighbors in the market, Owner Black and the City Lord of Marne were bosom friends who spoke without reservation. When they were young, they had been comrades in the same adventuring party. Once they grew older, they retired from the life of adventurers and chose to settle down. The City Lord inherited the title of Baron of Marne, and Black obtained residency rights from him. He then used the wealth he had gained from his adventures to open this bakery in the city.
***
Black took out a handkerchief and wiped the flour from his hands.
“What is it, Vivian?” Black asked in a calm tone that stood in stark contrast to his rugged appearance.
“You got the sign for the Parker Bread wrong.” Vivian pointed at the shelf. “It was only three copper coins when I came to buy it a few days ago. Why is it twenty today?”
“Is that so? Let me see.”
Black walked over to the shelf Vivian was pointing at and knelt down to take a look. He looked thoughtful for a moment before slapping the back of his head.
“I did get it wrong. My apologies.”
He went back behind the counter, fumbled around underneath, and pulled out a newly carved wooden sign to replace the old one.
“There. Enjoy your shopping.”
Vivian looked closely at the shelf. The new wooden sign clearly read: Price: 30 copper coins.
“Ah, why did it get even more expensive!?” Vivian found it hard to believe.
She turned her head and looked at the prices of the bread on the other shelves. Rye bread and multigrain bread were priced at thirty copper coins. Queen’s bread was priced at 200 copper coins…
‘Is this bread made of gold?’
She suspected that Black had gone mad with greed. How could bread be this expensive?
“Are you joking with me?” Vivian felt as though she were being toyed with.
“I would never do such a thing, Vivian. I have no choice. Times are tough right now…” the orc, Black, sighed and explained. “Recently, the price of flour in the city has skyrocketed. It changes every day. I have to raise the price of the bread accordingly, or I won’t make any money at all.”
Black spread his thick hands, indicating his helplessness.
“In a few days, I might not even be able to make bread anymore. I’m already planning to close the shop and rest for a while.”
“Ah…” Vivian’s lips parted slightly. She was speechless and could only let out a small gasp of shock.
She felt as if the sky were falling. She had just gotten married and finally managed to obtain legal residency. She was just about to start a stable and happy life in this other world. But now, grain prices were soaring, and bread prices remained high. Could she even stay in Marne City?
‘Is someone trying to kill me?’
As a vampire, Vivian was fine; she wouldn’t starve to death anytime soon. She liked eating Parker Bread only because of the taste of the blood mixed into it. She bought it for fun and to be happy. Eating it didn’t fill her up, and not eating it didn’t make her hungry.
But now, there was another mouth to feed at home.
‘My husband still needs to eat!’
If Nolan didn’t have bread, he would go hungry. If he went hungry, the quality and quantity of his blood would drop. And… in the end…
‘I’ll be the one going hungry too!’
Vivian even imagined herself becoming skin and bones, turning into a withered old woman, and eventually dying miserably in some corner of the street.
‘That won’t do! Is my married life really going to be this unfortunate?’
“Why is this happening?” Vivian’s voice rose several decibels without her realizing it.
“How would I know? I’m just a baker,” Black said, shaking his head.
“Fine…”
Vivian was a bit disappointed. She had hoped that Black could provide a reason. Maybe she could swing her fists, defeat a few villains, and the price of bread would return to normal. That way, her life would go back to its usual peace.
‘Sigh, as expected, fists can’t solve every problem…’
Facing an enemy without a concrete target, Vivian could only sigh at the situation and felt at a loss for what to do. She walked to the counter.
She reached into her clothes and pulled out the copper coins she had earned from the hunter. She took them out one by one. With every movement, her heart bled. She hadn’t even had a chance to let this money get warm in her hand before she had to give it away.
The moment she pulled out the sixtieth copper coin, Vivian gritted her teeth and pushed the coins forward with both palms.
“I—I want two pieces!” she shouted, squeezing her eyes shut.
—
“Thank you for your patronage. Please come again.”
The doorbell let out a crisp ring. Vivian, with the wooden sign hanging around her neck, walked out of the bakery holding an umbrella and a paper bag. She still hadn’t recovered from the massive expenditure.
‘I hope more patients show up to fill my empty wallet…’ Vivian prayed.
She walked through the streets, passing several wooden houses. She waited for any kind-hearted people who might need medical treatment while looking for a place to eat lunch. She made several rounds, but not a single injured person came to her for help.
“Is the public security that good now? Why is no one getting hurt?” Vivian muttered softly.
‘I guess I’ll just check again after I finish eating.’
She soon arrived at a small alley. The towering buildings on both sides blocked the harsh midday sun, casting cool, damp shadows in the corner of the alley.
‘Good. A mouse like me should stay in a corner like this.’
Vivian found a set of bluestone steps and casually brushed off the dust. She sat down and took out a piece of bread. Just as she was about to enjoy her lunch, a voice interrupted her leisurely break.
“Hey! Little girl, don’t you know there’s a fee for eating here?”
Vivian looked up blankly at the sound. Two adventurers wearing worn leather armor had appeared out of nowhere and were blocking her path. Both had their arms crossed. One had a sneer on his face, while the other had a cold, sinister gaze. A dagger and a hand axe were tucked into their respective belts.
Vivian slowly put down her bread and asked, “Are you two new here? Don’t you recognize me?”